Improvement in earth-closets



D. B. C0 LLI NS.

* Earth Closets. N o. 121,489, n Patented Dec.5,1871.

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I u A Ea-(far UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICEo DENNIS B. COLLINS, OFRICHMOND, VRGDIIA.

IMPROVEMENT IN EARTH-CLOSETS.

Speciiication forming part of Letters Patent No. 121,489, dated December5, 1871.

To all lwhom it may concern:

` Be it known that 1, DENNIs B. GoLLINs, of Richmond, Virginia, haveinvented certain new and useful Improvements in Earth-Closets, of whichthe following is a specification:

The nature of my invention consists in the construction of anearth-closet in which the servicebox is so arranged that the earth maybe dropped upon the excreta before the person using the closet risesfrom the seat, thereby preventing the disagreeable odor from escapinginto the room, and in the arrangement of certain devices hereafter fullyset forth and explained.

In the accompanying drawing, Figure l represents a side view of mycloset. Fig. 2 is a section view, and Fig. 3 a front view of the same.

A represents the frame, which is provided with the hopper B and lid O inthe usual manner. Underneath the hopper is placed the cylindricalservice-box D, which is provided with a journal at each end, so that itcan be readily revolved partly around. One of these journals extendsthrough the side of the frame, and has a crank, G, attached to it forthe purpose of operating the revolving box D. Secured to the end of thecrank is a chain, cord, or any suitable connecting` device, so as tobring the crank within easy reach of the person using the closet withoutrising from the seat. Suitable stops e e prevent the box from turningtoo far in either direction. Hinged to the underside of the lid O is achilds seat, H, for the convenience of children, and which is soarranged that it can be buttoned to the lid so as to be kept out of theWay when not in use. Under the seat there is arranged a slide, I, thehandle of which projects through the side of the frame, Within reach, soas to cut oft' all possibility of the smell from escaping under the lidinto the room.

The operation of my device is as follows: The service-box is turned sothat its mouth comes just under the hopper, Where it receives its chargeof earth. As soon as the person is done using the closet he pulls thechain or cord before rising from the seat, which causes the service-boxto turn partly around and discharge its contents through the chute Jinto the pail upon the excreta. This charge of earth, together with thedust which is raised in falling, at once absorbs all the unpleasantefluvia, and prevents the slightest escape of it into the room where thecloset is kept. Where the service-box is operated by the lid, as it hasalways been done heretofore, the moment that the person rises from hisseat the whole of the unpleasant odor escapes instantly into the roombefore thelid can be closed, and thus the atmosphere is kept alwaystainted.

If desired a spring can be attached to the end of the crank so as todraw it back to its rst position, carrying the box with it as soon asthe cord or chain is released, so as to have the closet always ready foruse.`

The devices employed in my closet are few and simple, and less liable toget out of repair than any of those now in use.

Having thus described Iny invention, what I claim as new, and desire tosecure by Letters Patent, is-

The cylindrical Servicebox D, having a crank attached to one end, andprovided with a suitable cord or chain, and stops e e, so that it can beoperated before rising from the seat, substantially as described.

D. B. COLLINS. Witnesses:

T. S. MERCER, J. A. LEHMAN.

